How To Air Dry Flowers

Air drying flowers is a great way to add some vintage colour to your interior and they’re last longer than those just plucked from the garden and stuffed in a vase. Using air drying methods makes the flower lose a bit of colour, adding some rustic charm to your décor. Check out some different ways you can do the air drying method.

Original air drying method

The most common way to air dry flowers is by hanging them upside down. Bundle flowers together with twine (though keep large flowers by themselves) and hang them upside down about 6” from the ceiling in a well-ventilated place and out of direct sunlight. Bunches should only contain one type of flower.

The drying time can range from one week to several depending on factors like where it was harvested and the humidity of where it is drying.

Water drying method

Some types of flowers dry better using this method. Flowers like heathers, hydrangeas, acacia, bells of Ireland and yarrow dry well using the water drying method.

Simply strip off most of the leaves and place the stem in 2” of water in a warm place, out of direct sunlight. The water is absorbed and evaporates as the flowers dries.

Oven drying method

Compact flowers like marigolds, cornflowers and chrysanthemums dry well using the oven drying method. For this method, you’ll want a fan-assisted convection oven; typical non-ventilated ovens are not ideal as they generate too much moisture.

Set the oven to a very low temperature (about 100 degrees) and place flowers through holes in a wire mesh rack, leaving room for stems to dangle at the bottom. Check on them often to make sure the oven isn’t getting too hot.

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